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When seizures strike

About three million American adults have epilepsy, which is marked by recurring seizures. But far more people will have a seizure that strikes for another reason. Seizure triggers include high fever, head injury, extreme lack of sleep, blood sugar fluctuations, alcohol or drug misuse, certain medications, brain infections, stroke, and eclampsia. People can help someone having a seizure by moving them away from hazards, preventing choking, and tracking details. Most seizures are not a medical emergency.

MIND diet may slow cognitive decline

A 2024 study suggested that closely following the MIND diet, which emphasizes plant-based foods and limited animal products and saturated fats, may slow cognitive decline compared to other eating patterns.

Does a lack of purpose signal cognitive change?

In a 2024 study of 900 dementia-free older adults, those who developed mild cognitive impairment had lower levels of life purpose and personal growth years before a diagnosis, compared with those whose thinking skills remained sharp.

Shingles tied to cognitive decline

A 2024 study involving more than 149,000 people, middle-aged and older, found that those who had shingles were 20% more likely to notice signs of cognitive decline years later, compared with those who didn't have shingles.

Midlife ADHD? Coping strategies that can help

When ADHD persists through early adulthood into middle age, it presents many of the same challenges it does in childhood, but with added pressures from the busier pace of life and expectations from work and family. Fortunately there are strategies that can help you navigate this condition.

Cognitive benefits from high-intensity interval training may last for years

A recent study found that engaging in high-intensity interval training may be better for brain health than other less vigorous routines.

Depression's cognitive cost

In addition to hallmark symptoms such as persistent sadness and apathy, depression can also trigger memory problems. People with depression may lack focus, leading to memory lapses. Depression may also alter brain chemicals that help people sustain attention. Memory problems in depression show up differently than in dementia, making people unable to retrieve long-term memories. Positive memories also fade first in depression because brain areas that process positive or rewarding experiences are disrupted.

Unraveling dizziness

Bouts of dizziness can be unsettling sensations that may last only a few seconds or linger for several minutes or even longer. Episodes may be isolated or recurrent. Many people have a difficult time articulating what they experience when they say they feel dizzy, because the term encompasses a range of sensations like lightheadedness, wooziness, unsteadiness, or spinning. To help identify the cause, people should first consider whether they are experiencing primarily lightheadedness or vertigo.

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